Medford MBTA Bus Slated For Cancellation To Stay In Service

MEDFORD, MA — The MBTA’s 354 bus, servicing Medford Center, Burlington, Woburn, and Stoneham, will remain in full operation despite being slated for cancellation earlier this year.

Woburn Rep. Richard Haggerty praised the decision to keep the bus in service and said it was a direct outcome of community participation.

“After months of advocacy I am pleased that we helped the MBTA understand the critical access the 354 bus provides for our residents and our community,” Haggerty said in a statement. "This outcome would not have been possible if it were not for the community’s active participation in partnership with the State Delegation. This has been a great show of teamwork and I am happy with the outcome for all involved.”

Also on Patch: MBTA Changes Proposed Bus Routes In Medford

Since May when the MBTA’s “Better Bus Project” was first released, several members of the Massachusetts Legislature met with representatives from the MBTA representatives to explain their objection to the plan to do away with the 354 bus, which serves as the ‘rapid route’ from their communities to State Street in Boston.

They emphasized that residents have intentionally purchased homes along this bus route and local businesses have hired people who rely on Route 354 for commuting to and from the city.

As part of the Better Bus Project public comment period, Route 354 was one of the top 10 commented on bus routes throughout Massachusetts.